National Signing Day 2011: Pitt Coach Todd Graham Unfazed by Poor Rankings

Pitt had a Top 25 recruiting class before Dave Wannstedt was fired and his successor, Mike Haywood, was arrested and terminated.

Although over half of the highly-touted class moved on, new head coach Todd Graham and his staff have been working triple time to bring those recruits back to Pitt and reel in some new prospects from Graham's former Tulsa recruiting class.

With ties in Texas and Oklahoma, Graham has already enlarged Pitt's recruiting territory.

Jeremiah Bryson Stunned by Wannstedt's Exit but Hanging On with Panthers

Jeremiah Bryson is a running back from Smyrna, Tennessee. He's 5'8" and 173 pounds. Bryson is rated as a 3-star recruit and ranks No. 12 in the state of Tennessee.

In his senior season, Bryson rushed for 1,515 yards and scored 19 rushing touchdowns along with four through the air.

Smyrna High School fans will miss the 48 touchdowns he produced throughout his high school career.

Rivals Rates Sam Collura from DeMatha High School a 3-Star Tight End Recruit

Sam Collura is impossible to miss in a crowd. At 6'4" and 265 pounds, he will be a versatile edition to Graham's Panthers.

He committed to the Panthers and Dave Wannstedt last February.

Through the turmoil he stuck with Pitt and he is scheduled to make his official visit to Pitt on January 28, 2011.

MaxxPreps believes he will be better suited to the guard position in college. He has won praise for holding his blocks and staying with the defender.

Collura is described as a hard worker and a pretty good student with close to a 3.0 GPA.

Artie Rowell from Harrisburg, PA Stuck with Pitt Through the Coaching Changes

Artie Rowell has been pursued by Temple and Northwestern, but he is solid with the Pitt Panthers.

A graduate of Central Dauphin High School, Rowell earned second team Mid-Penn honors.

Rowell is regarded as one of the five best linemen in the state of Pennsylvania.

ESPN's recruiting report described Rowell as a "...solid player with good technical skills as a run and pass blocker. Has the size and athleticism for the offensive guard position at the major level of competition" (ESPN.com).

Three Big East Teams Pursue Zenel Demhasaj, but Pitt Gets the Commit

At 6'7" and 330 pounds, J.C. recruit Zenel Demhasaj from Nassau County Community College in New York generated interest from South Florida, Rutgers and Pitt.

The offensive tackle signed with the Panthers on Jan. 13, 2011.

Demhasaj tore his ACL early in the fall, but he appears to have made a complete recovery.

Pitt beat out Michigan State for this big recruit from Garden City, NY.

Despite Hard Charge from the Miami Hurricanes, Sam Collura Stays with Panthers

Sam Collura is a 6'3", 250-pound tight end from Hyattsville, Maryland. He committed to Pitt last February 22 and has stayed with the Panthers through three head coaches.

MaxxPreps notes he may be used as a guard at the college level.

Collura is a 3-star recruit from DeMatha Catholic High School.

When Haywood took over, Collura was anxious to talk to him and avoid decommitting.

The coaching chaos game Miami a chance to make a play for him.

With Graham in charge now, he is happy to become a Panther.

In Scout.com's 2011 position rank, Collura comes in at No. 40.

Justin Olack Gives a Soft Verbal to the Panthers

Justin Olack is a 6'3", 190-pound wide receiver from Massilon, Ohio. He was recognized in 2009 as an All-Northeast Inland District second-teamer and player of the game in the Washington High vs. Stubenville football game.

He is credited with 49 pass receptions, 765 yards and three touchdowns.

Olack has received offers from Ball State, Toledo, Pittsburgh, Miami of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Marshall and Cincinnati. He committed to Pitt on June 11, 2010.

He will make his official visit to Pitt on Jan. 21, 2011.

Lafayette Pitts Is a Great Match for Pitt

Lafayette Pitts from Woodland Hills in the Pittsburgh area is a thoughtful, well-spoken young man.

Shocked by Michael Haywood's alleged transgression but firmly in the Pitt camp, Pitts is relieved Todd Graham has taken over the program.

Pitts attended the raucous Pitt-Syracuse game Monday night at the Pete and had a chance to meet and greet the Panthers' new coaching staff.

He is a 3-star cornerback recruit with a position ranking of No. 12 in Pennsylvania and No. 59 nationally.

Scout.com gave him excellent reviews for body control, burst out of breaks and change of direction.

Pitts committed to Pitt on Dec. 18, 2010.

Pitt Working Hard to Keep Max Issaka, Who Hears Rutgers' Jeff Haffley Calling

Rutgers hired former Pitt coach Jeff Haffley to keep the Panthers out of the Garden State. For Max Issaka, the plan almost worked.

He is a weakside defensive end who hails from Woodbridge, NJ, best known for its intersection of the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike.

Issaka is 6'3" and 240 pounds. He is ranked No. 20 nationally and No. 14 in Pennsylvania at his position.

He committed to Pitt on Jan. 6, 2011, but that hasn't stopped Rutgers coach Greg Schiano from scheduling a visit at Issaka's home.

Khaynin Mosley-Smith Is Pitt's Only Remaining 4-Star Recruit

Khaynin Mosley-Smith committed to Pitt on Sept. 9, 2010.

He was recruited last year but was ruled academically ineligible for the 2010 season.

This past year he attended the Milford Academy Prep School. He is 6'1" and 270 pounds.

MaxxPreps lauds Mosley-Smith for his quickness off the ball, his speed and toughness.

Academic issues are resolved and he is ready to go.